Inhaler.



A. C. SHEPHERD.

INHALER.

APPLICATION'HLED NOV. 18. 1916.

Patented Mar. 13,1917.

9 SEPHERD Cit UNITE STATES PA 'rrcn.

INHALER.

Application filed November 18, 1916.

To all whom it may concem:

It is a more particular object of my invention to provide an inhaler having a body constructed of foraminous or reticulated material adapted to contain an absorbent for the disinfectant, and means for retaining the inhaler body in proper position beneath the nostrils.

It is another object of my invention to provide retaining or attaching means for the inhaler, which may be easily and quickly applied in proper engagement upon the nose, and which is so constructed that the user will suffer no discomfort.

It is a general object of the invention to simplify and improve the construction of devices of 'the above character, increase their serviceability and convenience in practical use, and reduce the manufacturing cost thereof to a minimum.

lVith the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure l is a perspective view showing my improved inhaler as applied in use;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation; and

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing, 5 designates a length of resilient wire, the intermediate portion of which is bowed or longitudinally curved, as at 6. From this intermediate portion of the wire, the extremities are angularly bent and slightly inclined toward each other and formed into the open loops 7 The body or container for the disinfectant absorbent is of sector-shape form in outline and is constructed of reticulated material, preferably wire mesh, indicated at 8, which may be more'or less closely woven Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 13, 1917.

Serial No. 132,172.

as desired. The bowed, intermediate portion 6 of the wire 5 extends through this perforate body, and the wall thereof at the upper side is closely engaged upon said wire. The ends of the sector-shaped wire body are soldered or otherwise suitably fixed to the wire 5, as indicated at 9. Within the perforate body of the device, raw cotton or any other suitable absorbent material 10 is disposed.

In the application and use of the device, the absorbent material 10 is first saturated with a suitable liquid disinfectant and the inhaler arranged in position as shown in Fig. l, with the curved, intermediate section of the wire 5 extending horizontally beneath the nostrils and closely contiguous thereto. The curved, inwardly inclined extremities of the wire 5 bear against the opposite sides of the nose and exert a firm, though not excessive pressure thereon which is sufficient to retain the inhaler in proper position against accidental displacement. Thus, the air breathed by the user is disinfected by its passage through the absorbent material so that the disease germ is not carried into the lungs. The device may be very easily and quickly applied in proper position or removed after use. As the inhaler is of exceedingly simple construction and may be manufactured at very low cost, after being once used it may be destroyed.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the construction, manner of use and several advantages of the'device will be clearly and fully understood. The device can, of course, be constructed in various sizes and also of other shapes than that indicated in the drawing. I have found thatthe attaching means which I have devised for the inhaler will serve to effectively retain the same in place with a minimum of discomfort to the user. It will be manifest, however, that this portion of the device likewise may be somewhat modified and I, therefore, reserve the privilege of adopting all such legitimate changes in the form, construction and arrangement of the several elements as may be fairly embodied withinthe spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is 1. An inhaler comprising a length of resilient wire having a bowed, intermediate lie portion to extend under the nostrils, the end portions of said Wire being angularly projected from the intermediate portion and formed into nose clamps, and a forarninous container secured to the intermediate portion of said Wire in pendant relation thereto.

2. An inhaler comprising a length of resilient Wire having a bowed intermediate portion to extend under the nostrils, the end portions; of said Wire being angularly projected from the intermediate portion and formed into nose clamps, and a sectorshaped container having foraminous, converging alls permanently secured to the intermediate portion of said Wire.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

ALFRED C. SHEPHERD.

Witnesses A. C. Grrrnn, M. C. TAYLOR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents,

. Washington, D. 0, 

